GLOBAL PATTERNS OF INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CONVERGENCE: A LARGE-SCALE BIBLIOMETRIC INVESTIGATION

Sindhu Nair; Ankush seekhwal; Jetal J. Panchal; Yashodhara Pattanaik

doi:10.29121/shodhgyan.v4.i1.2026.135

Authors

Dr. Sindhu Nair Assistant Professor, Department of Arts and Humanities, The ICFAI University Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
Dr. Ankush seekhwal Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, School of Ayurveda, Kerala, India
Dr. Jetal J. Panchal Assistant Professor, M. B. Patel College of Education (CTE), Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand, Gujarat, India
Yashodhara Pattanaik Faculty of Legal Studies, SOA National Institute of Law, Siksha O Anusandhan (Deemed to be) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhgyan.v4.i1.2026.135

Keywords:

Interdisciplinary Research, Research Convergence, Bibliometric Analysis, Scientometrics, Knowledge Mapping, Science Mapping, Global Collaboration, Citation Analysis, Research Trends, Knowledge Networks

Abstract [English]

Interdisciplinary research has emerged as a key driver of scientific innovation by integrating knowledge, methodologies, and expertise from multiple disciplines to address complex global challenges. The increasing convergence of scientific fields, supported by technological advancements and international collaboration, has significantly transformed the global research landscape. Understanding the evolution and structure of interdisciplinary research is therefore essential for researchers, academic institutions, funding agencies, and policymakers. This study presents a large-scale bibliometric investigation of global interdisciplinary research convergence to examine publication trends, scientific productivity, collaboration networks, citation impact, and emerging research themes. The study reviews the historical evolution of interdisciplinary research and explores the factors driving knowledge convergence across diverse academic domains. It further analyzes the global research landscape by identifying influential countries, institutions, authors, journals, and subject areas, while examining knowledge structures through keyword co-occurrence, co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, and thematic evolution. The findings indicate sustained growth in interdisciplinary publications, expanding international collaborations, and the emergence of research frontiers driven by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, sustainability, and data-driven science. Although interdisciplinary research continues to face challenges related to disciplinary integration, institutional structures, and methodological diversity, it offers substantial opportunities for collaborative innovation and scientific advancement. The study highlights the strategic importance of research convergence in shaping the future of global scholarship and provides valuable insights for strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, research policy, and evidence-based scientific decision-making.

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